Argomenti trattati
The Royal Enfield Build.Train.Race. program is back on the national stage for 2026, rejoining the MotoAmerica Championship as an eight-race series staged over four rounds. The program — an all-female initiative that blends mechanics, coaching, and competition — marks its sixth consecutive year within MotoAmerica, underscoring Royal Enfield’s commitment to growing female participation in motorcycle racing. Participants will transform standard road bikes into race machines and then measure themselves directly on the timing sheets against peers using equal machinery, putting the spotlight squarely on rider skill and development.
The 2026 BTR campaign assembles a compact roster of ten competitors who will each prepare a race-spec Royal Enfield Continental GT 650. The field combines continuity and fresh talent: four riders return from the 2026 season while six riders are newly selected for this edition. Alongside machine preparation, riders receive high-level coaching and technical support; this instruction is led by experienced mentors and contributes to the program’s reputation as a pathway for women seeking national-level race experience. The effort intentionally equalizes equipment so results reflect rider progression rather than gear advantages.
How the Build.Train.Race. program operates
The program’s structure pairs hands-on mechanical education with intensive track work. Each athlete starts with a road-going Continental GT 650 and fits it with race-specific upgrades including bespoke bodywork, enhanced suspension, improved braking components, and tuned exhaust systems. These modifications are standardized so every bike runs within the same technical envelope. The aim is to teach competitors the fundamentals of race preparation — from chassis setup to ergonomics — while providing professional coaching on lines, braking points, and racecraft. In short, BTR functions as a complete development pipeline, not just a sprint series.
Rider development and coaching
Coaching is a central pillar of the program. Riders benefit from instruction covering both on-bike skills and off-bike technical knowledge, with veteran mentors offering race strategy, mental preparation, and mechanical insights. This mentoring has included prominent industry figures who help refine lap craft and pit-side problem solving. The format creates a supportive but competitive environment where women who might otherwise lack access to national-level racing learn teamwork, bike setup, and how to present themselves to teams and sponsors, increasing their visibility within the sport.
2026 race calendar and format
The four-round 2026 championship visits established North American circuits: it opens at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta (April 17-19), continues to Road America (May 29-31), moves to The Ridge Motorsports Park (June 26-28), and concludes at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course (July 31-Aug. 2). Across those weekends the series will stage eight races in total. Additionally, Royal Enfield’s broader motorsport activity includes events at Daytona International Speedway, where the brand supports short track and flat track programming, expanding opportunities across multiple disciplines.
Royal Enfield’s 125th anniversary and new models
Royal Enfield is celebrating a major milestone and using the anniversary year to amplify both racing and product initiatives across North America. The company has positioned the 125th anniversary as a celebration of Pure Motorcycling, combining heritage events, new model launches, and festival appearances. Among the new offerings is the Classic 650, a model introduced to the North American market that pairs the brand’s signature aesthetic with the modern 650cc parallel-twin platform. Royal Enfield also previewed additional 650-family entries including the Himalayan Mana Black edition and the forthcoming Bullet 650, broadening choices for riders seeking different expressions of the 650 Twin architecture.
Model introductions and presale
The Classic 650 reached consumers through a presale window beginning February 26 and running through March 31, with the public presale opening at 2:00 p.m. CST; this availability is intended to let riders secure the new classic-styled twin ahead of wider distribution. Royal Enfield frames these launches as a bridge between tradition and contemporary performance: styling cues nod to the brand’s lineage while the 650 Twin provides a more capable and refined powertrain suited to modern riding conditions.
Heritage, events, and community
Royal Enfield’s motorsport and cultural calendar during the anniversary includes both grassroots and global gatherings. The brand will support a special edition of its community ride, One Ride, in September and will close the year with the international festival Motoverse in Vagator, Goa. These events join racing initiatives like BTR and partnerships at marquee venues to create a year-long program that celebrates history while creating new entry points for riders. For more information about the racing program and model launches, visit www.buildtrainrace.com/road-racing and royalenfield.com.